Fowler played in the final group with Martin Kaymer at last month’s U.S. Open, but was five shots behind at the start of the round. Kaymer stretched it out to an eight-shot victory, not challenged at all by Fowler — or anyone else, for that matter.

This time, Fowler was even farther behind — six shots down when he teed off with McIlroy — but put up more of a fight, especially after the turn. Fowler birdied all three of the par-5s on the back side, as well as the par-3 15th, to at least make the leader sweat a bit.

In fact, Fowler went to the 18th green with an eagle putt, while McIlroy put his second shot into a pot bunker. If McIlroy had messed up things in the sand and Fowler had rolled his ball in, it might’ve gotten really interesting.

As it turned out, McIlroy blasted out with ease, setting up a two-putt par, while Fowler missed his putt and settled for birdie.

“I’m definitely pleased with the way I hung in there, the way I fought it out,” Fowler said. “I tried to give Rory a little run at the end, but just got on the gas a little too late.”

Fowler became the first player since Tiger Woods in 2005 to finish in the top five of the first three majors. Fowler also contended at the Masters, winding up in a tie for fifth, six shots behind winner Bubba Watson.

This was all part of the plan when he hooked up late last year with famed swing coach Butch Harmon.

While Fowler had earned more than $10 million in his young career, he had never done all that well in the biggest events. He had more cuts than top-10 finishes, so he decided to change things up. Going forward, all his preparations and practice routines would center on being at his best for the majors.

Fowler has already missed the cut as many times this season (seven) as the last two seasons combined, but none of those early exits have been in one of the signature events.

“It definitely hasn’t been my most consistent year,” he said. “But as far as where my focus has been to play well in majors and really focus on the prep and the lead-up in the weeks prior, and then playing well in the majors, it’s definitely been the most consistent.”

He knew if he played well at Royal Liverpool, it would probably be enough to lock up his spot on the Ryder Cup team.

Captain Tom Watson looks forward to having him as part of the 12-man squad that will try to take back the trophy from Europe in September.

“I like Rickie. I like his attitude. I like what he’s doing,” Watson said. “He’s playing well. He’s about ready to run the table.”

For now, Fowler is getting real used to that walk out to the 18th green, where the runner-up accepts some small trinket while the winner gets the big prize.

As McIlroy clung to the claret jug, he turned toward Fowler.

“The way you’ve played this year,” the winner said, “your time will come.”

WOODS WOULD PICK HIMSELF FOR RYDER CUP TEAM

Even after his worst 72-hole finish in a major, Tiger Woods said he would pick himself for the Ryder Cup team.

His first major of the year, and second tournament since March 31 back surgery, wasn’t much of an audition for U.S. captain Tom Watson. Woods was never the same after opening the British Open with a 69. The mistakes kept piling up, and so did the big numbers, and he closed with a 3-over 75 at Royal Liverpool.

“I just made too many mistakes,” Woods said.

He finished at 6-over 294, matching his highest score in the British Open. Only three players had a worse score, including U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer, and Woods finished in 69th place. His previous worst was a tie for 40th in the PGA Championship last year and the 2012 Masters.

Woods wound up 23 shots behind Rory McIlroy, by six shots his worst deficit ever in a major.

He didn’t even beat the 64-year-old captain. Watson birdied his last hole for a 68.

“It’s just one day. It’s a snapshot,” Watson said. “It’s not a big deal.”

Still, the concern was clear. Watson was speaking to the media as Woods was still on the course when he asked if Woods was shooting under par. Told that he was 4 over at the time, Watson said, “That’s not very good.”

Woods still has two tournaments left before the end of Ryder Cup qualifying at the PGA Championship. He is No. 72 in the standings, and aside from winning the final major of the year, his best bet is to be one of Watson’s three picks.

Asked if he would be inclined to pick him if were in Watson’s position, Woods said with a smile, “I would say yes.”

“But that’s my position, my take on it,” Woods said. “He’s the captain. Obviously, it’s his decision. He’s going to field the best 12 players that he thinks will win the cup back. And I hope I’m on that team.”

Woods is unlikely to make the FedEx Cup playoffs unless he picked up top-3 finishes at Firestone and the PGA Championship, and that means Watson would have to judge him on those tournaments unless Woods were to play elsewhere. Europe isn’t appealing, with events in Denmark, the Czech Republic and Italy.

“It would make it tougher for me to pick him if he’s not playing,” Watson said.

Watson is more inclined to see more from Woods before a rush to judgment. Woods has played only six rounds since back surgery to alleviate a pinched nerve that forced him to miss three months, including two majors.

The scorecard showed two triple bogeys and three double bogeys. He said his return at Congressional three weeks ago, where he missed the cut by four shots, was at least a chance to make sure he was pain free and shake off some rust.

The rust was still there.

“I was certainly expecting it, yes, but I just thought that I know how to play links golf,” Woods said. “I know how to grind it on these golf courses, and hitting the shots I thought I could get around here. I did the first day. After a bad start I got it back. And unfortunately, as I said, I made too many mistakes with the doubles and triples.”

He said he remained encouraged — the same word he used when missing the cut at Congressional — and even said he could see comparisons to these last two tournaments with a rehab assignment for a baseball player.

“There’s a lot of things I need to work on, but I haven’t been able to work a lot,” Woods said. “I was down for three months. So I’m just now starting to come back. … I’m still building. I’m still working on my game. And I’m getting stronger and faster.”

RECORD SCORES

McIlroy had a 68 as his target score for the final round, knowing that would mean someone had to set a major championship record (no one has done better than 63) to catch him. He didn’t come close, but he didn’t need to.

Even so, it was a day for low scoring. Four players tied the scoring record of 65 at Royal Liverpool.

Chris Wood was the first. Shane Lowry of Ireland birdied three of his last four holes to match him. Marc Leishman did the same for a 65. And the last was Jim Furyk, who played in the par 5s in 5-under par on the day.

Dustin Johnson had a 65 on Friday.

Eight years ago at Hoylake, Tiger Woods, Chris DiMarco, Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia each had a 65.

MICKELSON’S MOVE

Phil Mickelson had another good Sunday in the British Open, this time a 68 that at least ended on a positive note and allowed him to pick up some Ryder Cup points. Mickelson was more concerned with his play than the points.

“I don’t want to look at it and think about it too much,” Mickelson said. “If I play like I did this week at Akron and the PGA, I’ll be fine. I’ll be on it. But it would be beneficial for both me and Tom (Watson) if I can do it on my own.”

Mickelson has two events left — Firestone and the PGA Championship, worth double points as a major. The only three Americans in the top 10 at Royal Liverpool already were among the top nine in the Ryder Cup standings.

He has qualified for every U.S. team since 1995 at Oak Hill, where he went 3-0 as a rookie.

“It’s been 19 years now that I’ve made it on my own, and I think it’s a record of consistency to play that well to make the team on your own without being a pick for almost two decades,” he said. “And I’d like to keep that streak going.”

Mickelson won’t count on being a pick. He’s never had to worry about that.

“I don’t know if I played well enough this year to deserve a spot,” he said. “You want players that are hot, that are playing well. And I need to step and start doing that.”

A TRIBUTE TO PARENTS

Rosie McIlroy wasn’t at the U.S. Open or the PGA Championship won by her son. So when Rory McIlroy tapped in for par, he waved toward the back of his green to summon his mother to join him. It about made him break down.

“I was trying not to cry at the time because she was bawling her eyes out,” he said. “The support of my parents has been incredible — even growing up and doing everything, the sacrifices they made for me. Even to this day, they’re the two people in this world that I can talk to about anything. I couldn’t ask to have two better parents. They’re there for me at the worst of times, like this time last year after missing the cut.”

And then he turned to look at the claret jug before he finished his thoughts.

“Or the best of times, walking off as the champion golfer of the year,” he continued. “I can’t speak highly enough of my parents. They’re the best people in the world.”

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.